Improvement in flue-cleaners



UNITED STATES xPATENT OFFICE.

HIRAM FREEMAN, OF PETROLEUM CENTRE, PENNSYLVANIA.`

IMPROVEMENT IN FLUE-CLEANERS.

Specicationforming part of Letters Patent No. 146,178, dated January 6, 1874; application filed February 28, 1873.

CASE A.

`tain new and useful Improvements in Flue- Cleaners; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such' as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying l drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in the cleaning mechanism of the flue-cleaner used to clear mpeding matter from the pipes or flues of boilers, &c.

In the drawings, Figure l, Sheet l, is a view of a iiue-cleaner embodying my invention. Fig. 2, Sheet l, is a section of same. Fig. 3, Sheet -1, is a view of Fig. l with a guide-cap confining the ends of the loose spring-arms.

Said guide-caps are applicable to all the iiuecleaners of my invention. Fig. -7 is an inside v elevation of one of the guide-caps shown in Fig. 3. Figs. 5 and 6, Sheet 2, show variations of my invention.

My invention consists in so forming the scraping or cutting plates that they may al ways wear to a cuttin g-edge, and present their `sharp edges to the surfaces ofthe flue when the cleaner is being forced in either direction;

y also, in so arranging these cutting-edges or cleaning-plates that they may close together to suit flues of various sizes, and present edges to all parts of the iiue.

This I effect as follows: A, Fig. 1, is a rod or shaft bearing the cleaner. At a suitable distance back from the end of the cleaner, at a, are riveted to the shaft A, four springs, B, which bear the Scrapers C, and on the continnation of the shaft A may be placed a wiper,

l); or, instead, thereof, the cap E, Fig. 3, may bev fastened.so as to inclose the ends of the springs, permittingthem to have a free motion, but preventing their catching upon the edges of the iiues in entering; or, if necessary, the cap may be used at the same time with the wiper D.

I construct the cleaning-plates as follows: The `plate C is iiattened along the portion c c,

so that it can be riveted to the spring B. That edge near the middle of thecleaner is bent up so as to stand inclined to the spring B at such an angle as readily to chisel olf any scale or sediment, and continnallywear to a cuttingedge. Upon two4 of the springs, opposite to eachother, these scrapers stand inclined toa ward the front, while upon the other two they `incline in an opposite direction, so that the cutA ting will take place equally well in either direction. Un der the inclined portion C, and extending along the spring for a short distance, is a brace,F, of U shape in a cross-section, which is fastened to the spring, and serves as a cup to carry out the scrapings. Upon the` opposite side of the inclined cutter C is a similar brace, F', and these two plates or braces serve to hold the inclined cutters rmly and rigidly in position, and their upper edges, which incline gradually up to the circular edge of the cutter C, act as guides to direct the cutters into the end of the iiue. i

It will be observed that the' pieces attached to the different springs are exactly alike, eX- cept upon two of the springs they are reversed in relative position.

When desirable, I propose to make use of a guide-cap, E, Fig. 3. This may or may springs have free play when compressed. The cuttingedges G, inclined to the springs B, may also be inclined to the shaft, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, Sheet 2, so as to give a glancing or shearing cut, at the same time wearing to a cuttingedge.

I am aware that a somewhat similar guidecap has been used, but' not with a similar arrangement of springs.

I do not limit myself to having the direction ofthe inclined cutters C alternating to the front and rear, as shown; but they may'all incline either to the front or rear, if desired.

The cutters C are made long enough to lap over the adjacent cutters, and they are so adjusted as to spring past each other without touching. i

By this arrangement all parts of the iiue are scraped, which is impossible in a iuefscraper Q tiene elined chisel-shaped cutters C, and "With or Without the caps E and Wiper D, all construeted, arranged, and operating substantially as set forth.

bearingbut two seniieireular cutters, as such a scraper could only be adapted to one partienlar size of flue.

A greater nuJnber of springs bearing a but four springs perform the required Work, and are less expensive.

Having thus fully described niy invention, What I Claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, s-

The Hue-scraper herein described, composed of the shaft A, springs B B', bearing the in- I have hereunto set my hand this 6th day ot' February, 1873.

H IRAM FREEMAN.

Witnesses:

WEIjLs W. LEGGETT, EDM. F. BROWN.

greater number of cutters could be employed; 1 In testimony that I claim the foregoing' 

